New paintings and regular art updates.
On the gable end of the Falcon Works. Visible from Sturgess Street in Stoke.
I see you, Falcon,
Goss Hawk, swooping.
Air sifting between stone feathers.
Built as a plaque of identity,
Goss ware, pottery, strong and sturdy.
History, trade mark, art, bird.
Bird of prey,
Snatching art from thin air,
Your claws knead the clay….
Finished paintings delivered to the Waiting room gallery today. They are going to be part of the “Home is Where the Art is” exhibition starting soon. Now I need to work on paintings for the Brampton Christmas sale exhibition. I’ve only got a week to get some appropriate work done. I might also find out about getting some cards made from my images.
it’s coming on. But I know I’m looking too closely, which means I need to stand back and work out what if anything is wrong. I still need to add more bricks and sort out the trees. If I get this done I might do one of the bottle ovens.
Little brushes, lots of bricks, tiles, leaves, boards on the windows…. A derelict building, falling down gradually. I wish someone would take it on and look after it.
I’m in the middle of painting this nightmare of bricks! I’m also struggling with the perspective. I want to do more to it but I’m having a break for a bit. I’ve noticed that the windows are not lined up properly so I will have to over paint a section of it. Also, although the photo is quite dark I’m trying to get more shaping and brighter colours into the autumn leaves and I think I will try and lighten the bricks possibly by adding lines of paler mortar between the bricks. Anyway it’s a work in progress and it needs more work.
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I have a project for the weekend. Which of these should I paint? I wasn’t necessarily going to paint a bottle oven (these are at the Falcon works, with the Goss hawk at the end of the building). They are situated around the back of Portmeirion pottery. And I quite like the architecture. I might paint a negative image….
I have seen these buildings for years but didn’t investigate them much. I learned more about them and the owner today from a friend. Apparently the owner treated his work force very well and he even introduced a fire extinguishing system in the pottery to prevent fires.
These are my pottery pieces from the BCB, British Ceramic Biennial that is on at the China Halls at Spode until this weekend.
The two pieces are an ironic and unique take on staffordshire pottery flatware (with flat backs).
The first is a boat with Trumps head in it, feet in boots or socks heading in the other direction. There is a happy lion on the prow and the crucifixion at the top with people weeping on either side. Barrels and boxes are piled up at the stern where a white sale flaps in the wind. A monkey sits above the prow watching the scene. I named it Trump mania.
The second piece is called OMG, a couple stand caught in horror as something catches their eyes. Their hands over their mouthed in shock. I enjoyed adding details to the figures. I realise these are not the run of the mill figures, that is why it was even more fun.
Who fancies coming to a Barn dance up at Penkhull village hall, Stoke-on-Trent on 19.10.19? It’s in aid of the annual Penkhull Mystery Play, next due to happen in July 2020. A huge community project that includes theatre, creative writing, music and FUN !
There’s dancing and spinning, hornpipes and all sorts of mad frivolities at the Barn Dance. Plus pie and peas (and a vegetarian option), oh and yes there’s a real ale bar.
The band is the Shropshire Heroes and the caller is the inimitable Baz Parkes who cajoles and explains the steps of the dances, gets the right numbers of people to join in and encourages people to miraculous efforts, including me!
So if you happen to be in Penkhull on the 19th and you are feeling energetic, why not come along?
Quick sketch of people singing at a workshop today up at Penkhull village hall.
We sand lots of autumn songs, including old English songs and a poem set to music by the poet Lemn Sissay and musician Anni Tracey. We also sang a French song written in 1945 and translated into English called Autumn Leaves. It was by Joseph Kosma and Johnny Mercer with arrangement by Greg Stephens.
We got on really we and had a lovely time. The teachers Kate and Penny were very patient and helpful. I enjoyed it
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This is a wall in the China halls in Spode. Water has got in and damp is creeping up the wall. The fire extinguisher and bracket is long gone but the signs remain. I love the red and green contrasting colours, and it’s clear where the wall has been rebuilt or pointed and the scars of its life, like scars on a face. The dereliction is like an aging body, cracking and damaged.
I love flaking paint, brickwork and seeing the history written in the structure. I love taking photos of it and trying to paint it.
After extending my exhibition at the Waiting room gallery it finished today. I’ve collected the paintings and one at least is going to a new home.
It was a pleasure to work with Frank Foy and Allison Dias who run the gallery. Despite unforseen problems they were very helpful and I look forward to working with them again.
The waiting room gallery is welcoming to artists, it is reasonably priced and they have good knowledge of art. Visit if you can.
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Mallaband-Brown